Manchester Arts Group Hosts Fall Festival Downtown

Imagine Main Street Events For Thursday

MANCHESTER — — Imagine Main Street continues its First Thursday events this week with a fall festival downtown.

The organization includes town staff, local businesses, artists, nonprofit organizations and the Downtown Manchester Special Services District. The group has been highlighting local artists and businesses, with the goal of making the arts a major component of local economic growth.

"Our focus on the arts as an enhancement to our current downtown businesses and as a catalyst for change seems to have energized the community," organization Chairman Steve Gates wrote in a recent news release.

Events slated for 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday are focused on Main Street from Purnell Place south to School Street and include:

A drawing for a "total makeover from the neck up," including cut, highlights, blow-dry and makeup at Salon Petite, 968 Main St.; complimentary orchid blossoms and drawing for a silk item at Designed to Order Florist, 857 Main St.; Onyx Moonshine tasting and Kelly's Pumpkin Patch Painted Pumpkin display and sales at Landmark Café, 867 Main St.; live music at Beller's Music, 881 Main St.; Blue Grass Jam & Wine by bin228 at MCC on Main, 903 Main St.

Also, First Niagara Bank at 923 Main St. is the Scavenger Hunt Center. Pick up a scavenger hunt form, complete and return to be eligible to win prizes. The bank also will host a "Lost Tribe" exhibit by Matthew Cassar and a Hosmer Soda tasting, the release said.

There will be live music at Main and Oak streets; coffee and snacks at Anne Miller Realty, 975 Main St.; a boxing demonstration by members of Ring of Champions Society at 991 Main St. (rear); music by "We Got Rhythm," hot cider and muffins amid a festive fall display in the courtyard at 1007 Main St.; Manchester Art Association exhibit at 1009 Main St.

Also, a wine tasting is slated for 6-8 p.m. at Forest Package Store, 1065 Main St.; a grand opening and benefit art sale and music by Kevin Pearl at EM Dougan Gallery and Carriage House Designs, 1071 Main St.; and an Art & Artisan Bazaar, beer tasting by Olde Burnside Brewing Co., music by 41 Prospect, face painting and mask making at 1115 Main St.